Any quality pitcher, starter or reliever, would be a nice addition for the Los Angeles Dodgers these days.
For the second year in a row, the Dodgers have an alarmingly long injured list, and it's nearly all pitchers. They're down four starters since Opening Day, with an All-Star caliber bullpen on the shelf as well.
Due to Tanner Scott's struggles, Los Angeles doesn't necessarily have the closer spot on lock. Landing someone with ninth-inning experience via trade would be a nice bonus, though any live arms will be welcome.
One baseball writer believes the Baltimore Orioles could provide the answer the Dodgers are seeking.
On Wednesday, Dylan Sanders of Orioles on SI proposed that Los Angeles could acquire former All-Star closer Félix Bautista, suggesting a package of two prospects the Dodgers could send back to Baltimore.
"A deal centered around Bautista could look like this; the Orioles ship the reliever to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a prospect package including infielder Alex Freeland and right-handed pitcher Patrick Copen," Sanders wrote.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
That is a fringe top-50 prospect and an intriguing bullpen arm, which is a fair price to ask for one of the most intimidating closers in baseball with two years of control and a $2 million price tag this season.
Bautista, 29, missed the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery, and he took some time to readjust early this year. But he's worked a scoreless inning in six of his last seven appearances, dropping his ERA to a solid 3.32 mark for the year.
When Bautista is right, he's one of the game's most electrifying closers. The Dodgers will surely watch his outings closely in case the Orioles make it clear the 6-foot-8 fireballer is available.
More MLB: Yankees-Pirates blockbuster trade pitch brings 2-time All-Star pitcher to New York